Thousands Across Gaza Celebrate Ceasefire Announcement
-
Loading... - Paul Osaze
- 16 Jan 2025
- 46 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
Crowds of Palestinians erupted in celebration as news spread of a ceasefire and captive release deal reached between Israel and Hamas, aimed at ending more than 15 months of conflict in the Palestinian territory. The announcement, mediated by Qatar, was made on Wednesday, although Israel cautioned that several points of the agreement “remain unresolved” and hoped to finalize them shortly.
Despite the uncertainty, celebrations began immediately in Gaza, with crowds embracing, chanting, and taking photos to mark the momentous occasion. Randa Sameeh, a 45-year-old woman displaced from Gaza City to the Nuseirat Camp, expressed her relief, stating, “I can’t believe that this nightmare of more than a year is finally coming to an end. We have lost so many people, we’ve lost everything.” She shared her intention to visit the cemetery to honor her brother and family members, who were buried without proper graves.
Outside Deir el-Balah’s Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, where many casualties of the war have been taken, hundreds gathered to chant, sing, and wave flags. The atmosphere was charged with emotion as a member of the crowd and a journalist in body armor were lifted onto shoulders to conduct interviews above the throng of jubilant Palestinians. As an ambulance navigated through the crowd, people chanted “Allahu akbar” (God is greatest) and waved the Palestinian flag.
Young children, some appearing bewildered by the excitement, mingled among the adults, watching as interviews were conducted. A group of young boys led a popular pro-resistance chant, while adults captured the moment on their phones. In Gaza City, 27-year-old Abdul Karim expressed his joy, saying, “I feel joy, despite everything we’ve lost. I can’t believe I will finally see my wife and two children again.” He noted that his family had left for the south nearly a year ago and hoped for a swift return for the displaced.
Large crowds also gathered in Khan Younis, where young men celebrated by surfing through the crowd on the shoulders of others, beating drums and cheering in unison.
The deal announced on Wednesday is expected to halt the fighting in the devastated Palestinian territory and facilitate the release of captives held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The ongoing conflict has had a devastating toll, with at least 46,707 Palestinians killed and 110,265 wounded since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, 2023. In Israel, at least 1,139 people were killed during the initial Hamas-led attacks, with more than 200 taken captive.
As the news of the ceasefire spreads, the people of Gaza hold onto hope for a more peaceful future and the possibility of reuniting with their loved ones.
